How to Write a Healthcare Resume [with Tips and Examples]

From administrative clerks to clinical to supports, there are various types of positions to enter within the healthcare industry.

A healthcare professional responsible for some of the following tasks: 

• Maintaining and updating patient documentation to ensure accuracy
• Providing accessible resources and treatments for patients to reach an optimal lifestyle
• Preparing patients for procedures/appointments

As you look to apply for your next healthcare or medical position, you will want to create a professional healthcare resume, healthcare CV, or medical field resume for the medical facility you are looking to join.

With this guide, you will be able to successfully develop various healthcare resumes for different positions, such as:

• healthcare administration resume
• medical receptionist resume
• home health aide resume
• medical front desk resume
• health information management resume
• medical billing specialist resume
• patient care assistant resume

As a healthcare professional, you will want to display your strong organization skills in your healthcare resume by choosing one of the three common resume formats:   

• Chronological resume format
  • Pros: preferred by most healthcare employers
  • Cons: not suitable for people who have career gaps or are switching careers
• Functional resume format
  • Pros: focuses on skills and knowledge
  • Cons: not expected by most employers
• Combinational resume format
  • Pros: showcases both skills and work experience
  • Cons: can make your resume lengthy and repetitive

• PDF format (recommended) 
  • Pros: user-friendly and accessible across many devices.  
  • Cons: file is larger and may not be compatible with older ATS.
• Word format
  • Pros: compatible with most ATS.
  • Cons: formatting can easily be changed or lost.

• Advice 1: Use the skills-based (functional) resume format.
  For an entry-level healthcare resume, you will want to emphasize your strong healthcare knowledge and related attributes to make up for your lack of experience.  
• Advice 2: Include a career objective statement.
  Utilize an objective statement to your advantage by generating one that aligns well with the medical facility. Leave a positive impression on the health employer with the first few lines of your healthcare resume. 
• Advice 3: Focus on your educational background.
  For instance, if you are writing an entry-level healthcare administration resume, you will want to emphasize your degree in healthcare management.

1. Resume Profile (Personal Information)

For whichever type of healthcare resume you create, you will need to include the basic contact information, such as your full name, email address, phone number, and current address. 

2. Healthcare Resume Headline 

The headline of your healthcare resume is one of the first areas the healthcare employer will check to learn who you are.  

3. Healthcare Resume Summary

The summary of your healthcare resume provides the healthcare employer with a more in-depth idea of your core abilities and past achievements. 

4. Healthcare Resume Objective

An objective for a healthcare resume is an alternative option more suitable for people writing an entry-level healthcare resume. 

5. Healthcare Resume Skills

The skills section of your healthcare resume shows what you are knowledgeable in and the attributes that help you perform well in the role. 

6.  Healthcare Resume Work Experience 

The experience section for your healthcare resume tells the story of your past accomplishments throughout healthcare-related experience, such as volunteering, internships, full time jobs, etc. 

7.  Healthcare Resume Education

The education section of your healthcare resume is another place you can highlight as it shows that you are fully trained for the job. 

8. Additional Information to Include in Your Healthcare Resume 

Display your certifications, awards, licenses, or even hobbies and interests, if they demonstrates traits and skills suitable for the role, in your healthcare resume. 

✏️ 1. Tailor your healthcare resume to the job. 

Just like how each patient's documentation is different, each healthcare resume you create should be suitable for the specific healthcare job you are applying for. 

For instance, in a medical coding resume, you will want to emphasize your knowledge in healthcare common procedure coding system (HCPCS) codes; in a healthcare data analyst resume, you will want to highlight your proficiency with medical datasets; and in a healthcare customer service representative resume, you will want to feature your effective patient communication ability. 

✏️ 2. Make your medical professional resume concise. 

The recruiter only have a few seconds for a resume, so whether you are creating a medical office manager resume, a healthcare consultant resume, or a health administration resume, you will need to carefully include the most important and relevent information.

✏️ 3. Refer to online healthcare resume samples or examples.  

Referring to healthcare resume examples allows you to learn from others and know what is usually expected in a healthcare resume.  

✏️ 4. Keep the formatting of your healthcare resume consistent. 

From the text font of your healthcare resume to the overall style of it, you will want to make sure that your healthcare resume is organized neatly and easy to view. 

✏️ 5. Write a healthcare cover letter to pair with your healthcare resume.  

Producing an application letter for a health worker job gives the healthcare employer the impression that you are putting in all your efforts for the position. 

💭 Should I use a resume template?

• Yes, because: I want to have a clear outline of what to include in my healthcare resume
• No, because: I have a unique background that does not work well with a healthcare resume template

💭 What is the best healthcare resume template?

• If you are inexperienced, look for a functional (skills-based) resume format.
• If you are experienced, look for a chronological resume format.

💭 Where can I find free healthcare resume templates?

• CakeResume: build one of a kind healthcare resume with easy-to-use tools.
• Microsoft Word or Google Docs: create your healthcare resume by adjusting pre-made templates.